Folding table



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

H. H. OUMMER. FOLDING TABLE. I No. 455,681; Patented Ju1y 7, 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT n. OUMMER, oE CADILLAC, MICHIGAN.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 455,681, dated July '7, 1891.

Application filed April 29, 1891.

Serial No. 390,885- (No model.)

is to provide certain improvements in devices of this character.

To this end the invention consists of a table having a folding top adapted to inclose' the side bars and legs, of means for automatically locking the legs when the table is set up, and of certain details of construction, all as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and as illustrated on the two sheets of drawings, wherein Figure l is a perspective view of this table in its distended position. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the table folded. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 1. Fig. 4is a similarplan view with the side bars and two of the legs folded. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective detail looking from the inside of one of the corners, and the upper end of the leg slightlyaeinoved therefrom. Fig. 6 is a section on the line x w of Fig. 3.

Referring to the said drawings, the letters T and t designate, respectively, broad and narrow strips of which the table-top is com posed. S S are the side bars, the former of which is secured rigidly adjacent a cleat C beneath the outer edge of the outermost broad strip T, and the latter of which S is adapted to be brought against a similar cleat G, which is secured beneath the outer edge of the outermost nari 'ow strip f. The several strips of which the table-top is composed are connected by strap-hinges ll, (best seen in Fig. 4,) and which permit the movable side bar S to be moved bodily beneath the table-top into a position beneath the same broad strip T, to which the stationary side bar S is secured, as also seen in this figure. To permit such movement of the side bar S, the end portions E of the side bars are divided centrally where they are connected by hinges It on'their outer sides,

' so as to form knuckle-joints, which will fold,

as seen in Fig. 4, or will open slightlybeyond a straight line, as seen in Fig. 3. The outer ends of these end portions are pivoted to the ends of the side bars in themanner best seen in Fig. 5that is to say, the side bars are made considerably wider at these points, about the same as the width of the narrow strips 25, andto their upper and lower edges are secured plates P, which extend inwardly beyond the inner faces of the side bars, and between the inner ends of these plates extend the ends of the end portions E, which are also slightly widened, and pin s 2) pass through theplates and into the end portions E,Whereby the latter are pivotally connected with the side bars.

The letters L designate the legs which support this improved table, and these legs are pivoted, as at Z, to the inner faces of the widened ends of the side bars. The latter are preferably provided with blocks B on'their inner faces, either secured thereto or made integral therewith. and these blocks are cut away on theirlower faces to permit the rounded heads of the legs to turn therein, as will be clear. their pivots Z with grooves G, into which the extremities e of the end portions E move as said end portions. are turned on their pivots p, and the legs are by this means held in distended position.

The table is made of any suitable light material, the top preferably of three-ply veneer, and may bepainted, Ol'llELlllGl'ltGCl, and finished in any preferred manner. It is especially useful for traveling, for camping, for ladies work-tables, and for paper-hangers use, because it can be folded as seen in Fig. 2.

To open or set up the table, the top is first opened into a plane, the movable side bar S being thereby disclosed, as seen in Fig. 4. The legs are then opened. The side bar S is then carried across the bottom of thetabletop and against the cleat C, thereby opening the end portions E until their knuckle-joints h prevent their again folding, and as these end portions open their extremities turn into the grooves Gr in the legs and hold the latter distended. I The table is then set upon its The legs are provided adjacent (feet, which may have casters, if desired. The

obvious need of making the table-top in broad and narrow strips is in order that said top will fit closely around the balance of the table when the whole is folded. The inner edge of the cleat C is preferably beveled or inclined, as at I, and a notch N is formed along the outer side of the movable bar S, which notch engages said inclined edge of the cleat when the table-frame is distended, and holds the top from being lifted accidentally off of the frame, although this detail may be dispensed with or replaced by any other suitable means for accomplishing this end.

Considerable change in the minor details of construction may be made, and parts of theinvention may be used Without other parts, all without departing from the spirit of my invention.

\Vhatis claimed as new is 1. In a table, the combination, with the top composed of alternating broad and narrow strips and hinges connecting said strips, of a stationary side bar secured beneath a broad strip, a moving side bar, and hinged end portions connecting said side bars, all adapted to be folded beneath said broad strip and of a vertical height equal to the width of the narrow strips, substantially as described.

2. In a table, the combination, with a folding top having cleats on its lower face near its edges, and a stationary side bar secured to one of said cleats, the inner face of the other cleat being beveled, of a movable side bar having a notch adapted to fit said beveled face, hinged end portions connecting the side bars, and legs depending from the latter, substantially as described.

In a table, the combination, with afolding top, a stationary side bar secured to the lower face of said top near one of its edges, and a movable side bar, of end portions, each of which is in sections connected by inwardlyfolding knuckle-joints, plates secured to and projecting inwardly from the ends of the side bars, pivot-pins passing through said plates into the ends of the end portions, and legs depending from the side bars, substantially as described.

4:. In a table, the combination, with a folding top, a stationary side bar and a movable side bar beneath the same, plates secured to and projecting inwardly from the ends of said side bars, and jointed end portions pivoted near their ends between said plates, of legs pivoted to the side bars adjacent said plates and having grooves on their inner faces adapted to be engaged by the extremities of said end portions when the latter are straightened, as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HERBERT H. OUMMER.

Vit-nesses:

JOHN S. FLETCHER, GEO. E. LAMB. 

